Plan to spend a magical evening under the stars enjoying The Wizard of Oz with a Todos Twist held on February 4,5,11,12 and 18! Tickets can be purchased at Tecolote Bookstore, La Bodega de Todos Santos or Luna Azul. For information, contact [email protected]

The Wizard Visits Todos Santos! Currently, an additional bit of magic is being sprinkled over the Pueblo Magico of TodosSantos as 40+ community members, ranging in age from nine to seventy-nine, busilyprepare for the upcoming February production of The Wizard of Oz with a TodosTwist! Acting, dancing, singing, painting, building, sewing, molding and laughing—together and individually—these dedicated artists are contributing their vast talents anddiverse experiences for the musical to be held on the new Luna Azul Stage. Surroundedby elegant arches and beautiful decades-old palms, Luna Azul is the long-time dream of director/producer/actress Isabel Smyth and contractor/musician, Raul Cavazos. “We’vealways wanted to create a venue for actors and musicians, and now with Luna Azul,Todos Santos will have a performing arts component for its growing reputation as anartist colony,” enthused Smyth.
The Wizard of Oz with a Todos Twist promises to be a fun-filled fantasy with manyfamiliar scenes from the original 1939 movie including Munchkinland, Emerald City andthe Witch’s Castle; however, there is one notable exception: Dorothy, played by veteranactress Roxanne Rosenblatt, is a fifty-nine year old expat who has recently moved toTodos Santos in an RV! Joining her in the on-stage adventures are Serendipity B & Bowner Sharon Morris as Lion, Photographer Vic Kirby as Tin Man, Director Isabel Smythas Scarecrow and former radio/TV announcer Peter Jackson as The Wizard. With theinspired casting of Anita Harris as the Good Witch and Donna Schultz as the WickedWitch, The Wizard of Oz with a Todos Twist definitely will be comedic, full ofsurprises and maybe even a little scary! The cast is rounded off with Silvio Garcia Baumplaying Todos the Dog and members of the energetic, colorful chorus enacting the rolesof Munchkins, Town Folk, Winkies and Winged Monkeys.

Recently I had an eye problem and went to see an ophthalmologist in Mérida. The doctor’s office was bright, immaculate, and had the same equipment I was used to in the States (as well as a couple of specialized, high-tech machines that aren’t routine equipment). A very efficient, white-uniformed nurse gave me a preliminary check-up. The doctor himself—who spoke English–then spent about half an hour checking my eyes and giving me prescriptions and a treatment plan.
The doctor’s visit cost me 500 pesos, which these days is about $40. And I spent another $30 or so on eye-drop medications he prescribed. The entire cost was less than a doctor’s visit would have run in the U.S. Just a couple of weeks ago, I heard a Mexican doctor, Dr. Luis Suárez, talk about the high quality and low cost of Mexico’s health care at International Living’s Live and Invest in Mexico conference in Tulúm. But I have to admit, there’s nothing like experiencing Mexico’s health care firsthand to make you a believer…Dr. Suárez—young, energetic, fluent in English and with a modern, integrative medical practice—is a good example of the top-notch doctors you can find across Mexico. And like Dr. Suárez and my ophthalmologist, my dentist, too, is up-to-date and English-speaking.In mid-sized and large cities you can usually find numerous clinics, hospitals, and physicians in private practice where the quality of care is similar to (or even better than) what you’d find in your home city in the U.S. or Canada. Most major expat destinations in Mexico have at least two top-notch hospitals. In fact, a place often becomes an expat haven in part because good health care is available there. Mérida, for instance, has the Star Médica Hospital and the Clínica de Mérida, among other options. Puerto Vallarta’s private hospitals include the CMQ, Amerimed and the Cornerstone Hospital. In addition to its local clinics, the Lake Chapala area has easy access to hospitals in Guadalajara—Mexico’s second-largest city and a medical-care hub. And the list goes on and on…. When I’m scouting out a destination I always check on the health care there. Fortunately, I find that the list of good hospitals, clinics—and medical staff to run them—is getting longer all the time.

Before you decide to take that killer cheap flight to Cabo (SJD) or La Paz (LAP), be sure to confirm their baggage fee policy in advance, especially if you are bringing surfboards. Some airlines even count the boards individually even if they are in the same bag. If you bring 3 boards, it could set you back $1200 if you’re not careful!!! It’s cheaper to rent, leave a board in Baja or try to sneak on a bi-sect.

*SEASONAL SURFBOARD EMBARGOS
Depending on the time of year, some airlines won’t even take your surfboard — for any excess baggage charge. See the list below, and ask any airline, especially if you’re booking during peak travel times.

DELTA
Excess baggage (including surfboards) is NOT accepted from June 3 through August 31 to the following cities: Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE), Quito, Ecuador (UIO), San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL), Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL), Leon, Mexico (BJX), Zacatecas, Mexico (ZCL). Also, no bag over 50 lbs or 62 linear inches will be accepted for travel during the period.

CONTINENTAL
Surfboards and Wakeboards will not be accepted during an excess baggage embargo when no excess baggage is allowed (0 pieces). Exception: Surfboards and Wakeboards will be accepted to Costa Rica during an embargo period. Continental does not accept excess baggage in the following YEAR ROUND embargoed markets: Caracas, Venezuela (CCS); Houston, Texas to Bogota, Colombia (BOG) Lima, Peru (LIM) San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL) Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI) Tortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS)

The checked baggage policy for travel from (and via) Los Angeles to Costa Rica and Guatemala effective February 18, 2005, is as follows: During the peak summer travel period of May 28-September 6, and the peak winter travel period of December 4, 2005-January 6, 2006, customers are limited to the number and size of their checked baggage. The following guidelines apply to all customers: Maximum linear dimensions: 62 linear inches/157cm (length + width + height) each. No oversize, overweight or extra bags will be accepted. (= NO SURFBOARDS) Only one box is permitted as part of a customer’s free allowance; it must be the original manufacturer’s box containing the original item.

Please join our effort to preserve the environmental treasure which is Todos Santos, by signing this petition. We’ve slowed down if not stopped the pit gold mine that would have destroyed the local water. 2 minutes of your time could have a huge impact in an election year!